John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

A high-stakes extraction thriller with a compelling, freshly haunted hero at the helm, No Sanctuary by Camden Mays is the third gripping installment of the Cole Cameron Thriller series. After returning to the scene of his most recent trauma, it isn’t long before Cole is meeting with Mossad agents, infiltrating hostile territory, dealing out death, and pushing his own limits, both physically and psychologically. Reading like a behind-the-scenes scoop on espionage fieldwork, this is a captivating burst of fiction, penned with the tension of a noir drama, and the fast-paced payoffs of modern revenge thrillers.

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A probing novel with a touch of the paranormal, Where the River Runs Deep by Lynne Handy is a stunning story of violent truths clashing with long-hidden hate, exposing the scarred soul of America, both past and present. Maria is a striking protagonist, blending her deep belief in people, a love of poetry, and a freshly damaged heart. As she digs into the mysteries hidden in the death of her brilliant student, and the lost-in-time town she’s temporarily calling home, Maria finds far more visceral terrors on the outer banks of North Carolina. Handy has a quick and unpredictable style […]

A journey of blood and buried secrets pulls readers through time in On Moreton Waters by Casey Walsh, an impressive blend of historical fiction, contemporary fiction, and mystery. Focused partially on the social puzzle and stunning backdrop of Australia in the early 20th century, and again in the much-changed landscape a century later, these female-led stories of the McPhee family are framed by betrayal, desire, desperation, greed, and violence, showing the past’s indelible impact on the present. Capturing the colloquial rhythm of the region in both dialogue and narration, and weaving in a strong thread of mystery that reveals itself […]

An edgy YA tale for a new generation, Potion: A Witchy Fairy Tale by Dorlana Vann is a supernatural romp through the perils of self-discovery. Melrose is trying to find her place in the world, and where she actually came from, while her brother desperately tries to keep her safe from sinister powers – and the prettiest girl in school. Exploring classic themes of tragic heroes, petty bullies, and dark secrets from the past, this read covers some familiar ground, but Vann’s story-crafting and angsty prose make this title stand out.

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